Alberta Soccer developing strategy to get back on fieldBack to video

Following the guidelines set forth from the sport’s national governing body, Alberta Soccer will formulate its strategy to get the ball rolling again, which is expected to be released next week.

“It’s positive, obviously, we want to try and get soccer players back onto the pitch and playing the game that they love, so this is the first step,” said Alberta Soccer executive director Shaun Lowther. “We’ve been tasked with creating a back-to-play protocol and there is a plan to get back playing, taking to account the social distancing guidelines that are currently in place by the province.

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“We’re in the process of developing that documentation, which will go to Canada Soccer and then to the province as well, just to make sure we are adhering to the stipulations that have been put in place by the health authorities.”

Alberta Soccer is hoping to have players back on the field in physical distancing practice settings in June.

From there, they hope to gradually build up to sanctioning games later in the summer. Outdoor seasons around the province were to have been well underway by now but were put on hold due to the pandemic.

“We’re working through that right now,” Lowther said. “Obviously, physical distancing is important and we must maintain that. Right now, the plan is not to have traditional games, but rather technical-type training to get the kids out there kicking the ball about, improving their skills and things like that.”

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After a hiatus around the world, soccer is slowing making its way back with the German Bundesliga returning to the field this weekend in empty stadiums, while Major League Soccer and the Canadian Premier League work on a return in North America.

“Since our initial suspension of all sanctioned soccer in Canada in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic in March, we have worked closely and collaboratively with our member associations and relevant public health authorities as well as monitored the situation within the international soccer community,” Canada Soccer president Steven Reed said in a statement. “As stay-at-home restrictions begin to ease in parts of the country, we wanted to ensure that we expanded our Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster to provide guidance on how best to ensure a safe return to soccer for all players, coaches, referees and administrators.”

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On Wednesday, the Government of Alberta announced it was implementing the first phase of its relaunch strategy throughout a majority of the province.

Soccer Alberta will work within the provincial guidelines in forming its return-to-play strategy.

“We’re hoping to have a return-to-play plan put together by next week,” Lowther said. “We will submit that to government and Canada Soccer to get their take on it, and hopefully, implement it sometime in June.”

While games may still be a few months away, it is encouraging for the soccer community to see progression, considering how dire the situation looked in March.

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Lowther is not certain whether getting players back on the field is part of Phase 1 or 2 of the provincial strategy, but Alberta Soccer will be working closely with provincial health officials to ensure a safe return to the field.

“It’s massive to get the kids back out and the adults as well,” Lowther said. “It’s not going to be great for adults to begin with, because they just like to play the games. But just to get kids kicking the ball about, getting some physical activity, it’s not only good for them physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

“I know the kids are missing the game tremendously, so it’s positive news and there is still a long way to go to get this to reality, but I’m hopeful that we’ll get some players out on the pitch in June and hopefully build from that.”

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The Canada Soccer guidelines take into account the easing of stay-at-home orders from federal public health authorities, easing of restrictions on public gatherings from provincial health authorities and easing of restrictions for field and facility use.

Despite the guidelines, Alberta Soccer is planning to take a cautious approach to a return, acknowledging the situation has been challenging considering the uncertainty of the pandemic.

“I just want to thank the parents and players for being patient and staying engaged,” Lowther said. “I know a lot of clubs have been putting on online training sessions to keep those players active in their home, and hopefully, we can get to see them on the pitch quickly to enjoy themselves.”

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